Rabies infection spreads in Yen Bai

Update:
May, 20/2014 - 14:00

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To prevent further spread of the disease, the Preventive Medicine Centre has requested its districts to step up preventative measures against rabies, has forbidden people from transporting dogs and cats across districts, and has asked for increased communication about the disease. — Photo khampha

YEN BAI (VNS) — Nearly 1,900 people in the northern province of Yen Bai have been infected with rabies and three have died after being bitten by dogs since the beginning of the year.

The local authorities noted that the disease has spread in the province and has affected all districts and Yen Bai City. On average, five to six new rabies infections are being reported every day.

Le Thi Hong Van, director of the provincial Preventive Medicine Centre, said that the number of people coming for rabies vaccination had increased year over year.

She noted, however, that lack of awareness among some people, including the ethnic groups in remote areas, has had deadly consequences.

She cited the example of a 44-year-old man who was asked to go to the district medical centre for rabies vaccination after being bitten by an infected dog in March. He refused to go and instead took some medicine. He died a month later.

To prevent further spread of the disease, the Preventive Medicine Centre has requested its districts to step up preventative measures against rabies, has forbidden people from transporting dogs and cats across districts, and has asked for increased communication about the disease. — VNS